Douglas Byerly

The meeting addressed administrative items, including the approval of minutes from the January 9th regular and second special meetings, which incorporated an executive council meeting agenda. Public comments included a resident's detailed concerns regarding council responses to citizen inquiries during a prior special meeting and a request from the Rotary Club for the use of Triangle Park for flags of honor and an Angel Lights display. Key agenda items involved the request to install a flag adjacent to Veterans Park, funded by the VFW, with a goal for dedication on July 4th; approval for a banner across Main Street advertising a career fair; and approval for the closure of East Main Street for a community holiday event. Unfinished business included the appointment of William Wallace to the Flood Protection Authority until January 1, 2030. A significant discussion centered on rejecting all bids for the waterline contract (Contract Number 2025-03) because the bids proposed approximately 90% open cut work, contradicting the project's original intent for directional drilling and lacking proper asphalt restoration specifications required by Wayne Township for full pavement restoration.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and subsequent discussion regarding the approval of minutes from the February 2nd meeting and the February 16th special meeting. A council member requested amendments to the minutes concerning attributed comments and executive session summaries. Key agenda items discussed included the approval of a street closure for a holiday event on November 19th, the annual request for the Triangle Park Easter display setup (March 28th through April 11th), and the approval for the No Kings Rally Festival use of Triangle Park on March 28th, which required the use of the gazebo and electricity. Finally, the council reviewed a request for street closures for the Great Island Adventure Triathlon scheduled for Saturday, June 27th.

The City Council meeting agenda included public comments and requests concerning street closures for various events, including a holiday event, a cross installation, the No Kings Rally/Festival, a triathlon, a Halloween Parade, a wedding, and a bridge to bridge run. Unfinished business involved consideration of a resolution to terminate the City Manager and City Clerk, and consideration of an ordinance regarding interim financing for 2026 A and B Bonds. New business items included considering a resolution for county aid for interchange lighting expenses, noticing 2026 sewer invoices, granting permission to bid for the 2026 Patch Paving Project, permission to place items on Municibid (police cruiser contents), a request for funding toward Act 120 training for LHPD officer candidates, and the LHCA Request for Payment for the PMAA annual fee. Liaison reports for January 2026 were also scheduled for review.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. During public comments, a resident discussed a previous vote concerning the road closure of East Main Street to facilitate a holiday celebration event centered around the newly renovated Suana Event Center (former Elks building). Key agenda items included the second reading and approval of Ordinance 2026-01 regarding a life assist ordinance for the fire department, and the second reading and approval of Ordinance 2026-02 setting additional wages and duties during the transition city manager position. An agreement (Item 5C) concerning the interim city manager position for Abigail Roberts, ensuring it would not overlap with her city planning role, was also approved. Under new business, the first reading of Ordinance 2026-03 concerning interim financing for two general obligation notes (2026A for refunding the 2022C bond, and 2026B for the water project/pipeline interim financing) was discussed. Updates were provided on board and authority reports, including the planning board reviewing new zoning ordinances and positive feedback regarding the new library director. The Council held an executive session prior to the main meeting for legal issues.

The separate meeting addressed several items requiring council consideration and approval. Key discussions included the enactment of the real estate millage for the 2026 fiscal and calendar year, which maintained the same effective millage rate as the previous year, despite adjustments in land and improvement taxes. The council also considered the second reading for the adoption of the 2026 fiscal and calendar year budget, detailing appropriations for various funds including General, Fire, Water, Sewer, Airport, Storm Water, and Highway Aid. Furthermore, the council addressed the annual resolution for scheduled city charges and fees, noting updates to water charges based on PUC tariff and slight increases in building permit fees to align with state charges. The receipt of the 2023 fiscal year audit summary from Baker Tilly was acknowledged, and notice was given regarding correspondence from the Central Clinton County Water Filtration Authority. Finally, the schedule for 2026 regular meetings was discussed, noting discrepancies in the proposed November dates.